Media supply device

Abstract

To accurately supply a floated medium by a medium supply device, with a simple setting.SOLUTION: A pair of side fences 12 and 12 which are an example of a regulation portion of a medium supply device 1 include: a pair of convex portions 12b and 12b which are arranged facing a width direction W orthogonal to a transport direction D and are an example of a pair of first regulation portions that regulate a medium M loaded on a loading platform M in the width direction W, and a pair of regulation surfaces 12a and 12a arranged facing the width direction W at an interval S12 wider than the pair of convex portions 12b and 12b (interval S11) and are an example of a pair of second regulation portions that regulate the floated medium M in the width direction W. The pair of convex portions 12b and 12b are movably arranged integrally with the pair of regulation surfaces 12a and 12a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an air feeding method is known in which floating air is used to float the paper, and then the topmost paper is separated and fed as a single sheet. In a sheet feeding device employing such an air feeding method, a medium feeding device has been proposed that includes a pair of side fences that regulate the width of a stack of sheets, and a pair of alignment plates that are arranged separately from the side fences above the pair of side fences and regulate the width of the floated sheets, and the widthwise spacing of the pair of alignment plates is narrower than the widthwise spacing of the pair of side fences (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-62961 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When media such as paper loaded on the loading platform floats, it moves freely within the space between the pair of side fences. Therefore, if there is a large gap between the pair of side fences and the media, problems such as image misalignment and paper jams may occur due to a misalignment in the suction position of the transport mechanism that attracts and transports the topmost media.

[0005] On the other hand, if the pair of side fences are pressed against the media, the floating behavior of the media and the falling behavior of the floating media (excluding the topmost transported media) are hindered by friction with the pair of side fences, and for example, this can cause the media to be difficult to float, resulting in empty feeding, or the floated media to be difficult to fall, resulting in double feeding.In addition, the media can become more susceptible to deformation, which can particularly cause empty feeding of the media.

[0006] Therefore, if the widthwise position of the floated medium cannot be regulated at an appropriate interval, the medium cannot be fed accurately.

[0007] As described above, in a sheet feeding device that includes a pair of side fences and a pair of alignment plates that are disposed above the pair of side fences and regulate the width of a floated sheet, the pair of alignment plates, unlike the pair of side fences, cannot determine the position by contacting the sheet when the sheet is not floated. Therefore, it becomes necessary to perform a complicated setting of acquiring position information of the pair of side fences and setting the positions of the pair of alignment plates.

[0008] In this case, if the sheet size is detected by a general method of measuring the actual sheet size by bringing a pair of side fences into contact with the paper, the distance between the pair of alignment plates is set with a margin of at least the size detection error, resulting in a large gap between the pair of alignment plates and the sheet. Also, if the position of the pair of alignment plates is set with a standard size or a value inputted through the panel, the distance between the pair of alignment plates is set with a margin of at least a predetermined value (for standard size paper, the paper size tolerance specified by JIS + 2 mm) with respect to the standard dimensions of the sheet so that the pair of alignment plates does not press against the sheet, resulting in a large gap between the pair of alignment plates and the sheet. If a large gap occurs between the pair of alignment plates and the sheet in this way, as described above, problems such as image position shift and paper jams may occur due to a shift in the suction position to the transport mechanism.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a medium supplying device that can accurately supply floated media with simple settings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one aspect, a medium supplying device comprises a loading platform on which multiple media are loaded, a floating air blowing mechanism that floats at least the topmost medium of the multiple media loaded on the loading platform by blowing air, a transport mechanism that transports the topmost medium floated by the air blown by the floating air blowing mechanism in a transport direction, and a regulating section having a pair of first regulating parts arranged opposite each other in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and regulating the medium loaded on the loading platform in the width direction, and a pair of second regulating parts arranged opposite each other in the width direction at a wider interval than the pair of first regulating parts and regulating the medium floated by the air blown by the floating air blowing mechanism in the width direction, and the pair of first regulating parts are arranged to be movable together with the pair of second regulating parts. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the above aspect, the floated medium can be accurately supplied with simple settings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a printing system including a medium feeding device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of the medium supplying device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the medium supplying device according to the first embodiment (when supplying a medium). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the medium supply device according to the first embodiment (when no medium is loaded). [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a side fence in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of a medium supplying device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a left side view showing a medium supplying device according to a second embodiment (when no medium is loaded). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, a medium feeding device according to a first and second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a front view showing a printing system 100 including a medium feeding device 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control configuration of the medium supplying device 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a left side view showing the medium supplying device 1 (when supplying the medium M).

[0016] FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the medium supplying device 1 (when no medium M is loaded). FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the side fence 12. As shown in FIG.

[0017] Note that the front-to-back, up-down, and left-to-right directions shown in Figures 1, 3 to 5, and Figure 7 described below are examples when the transport direction D of the medium M is set to the right, and the front-to-back and left-to-right directions are horizontal directions, and the up-down direction is vertical.

[0018] The printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a medium supplying device 1 and a printing device 101. The medium supplying device 1 supplies the medium M to the printing unit 110 of the printing device 101. Note that the medium supplying device 1 supplies the medium M to is not limited to the printing device 101, and may be other devices such as a conveying device or a post-processing device. The medium supplying device 1 may be provided integrally with the other device such as the printing device 101. The medium M may be, for example, paper (sheets), but may also be other sheet-like media such as film. A plurality of medium supplying devices 1 may be arranged, for example, vertically or horizontally, and the plurality of medium supplying devices 1 may supply the medium M to a single other device such as the printing device 101.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the medium supply device 1 comprises a loading platform 11, a pair of side fences 12, 12, a transport mechanism 20, a suction mechanism 30, a main floating air blowing mechanism 40, a main separation air blowing mechanism 50, a pair of side floating air blowing mechanisms 60, 60, a pair of side separation air blowing mechanisms 70, 70, a control unit 81, a memory unit 82, an interface unit 83, a loading platform lifting drive unit 84, and a transport drive unit 85.

[0020] A plurality of media M are loaded on the loading platform 11 shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4. The loading platform 11 is raised and lowered by driving a loading platform lifting and lowering drive unit 84 shown in Figure 2. As an example, when the number of media M loaded on the loading platform 11 decreases, the control unit 81 controls the loading platform lifting and lowering drive unit 84 to raise the loading platform 11 based on the amount of reflected light of light horizontally irradiated by a floating state detection unit (not shown) at a predetermined loading surface height.

[0021] 3 and 4, the pair of side fences 12, 12 are disposed facing each other in a width direction W (front-rear direction) perpendicular to the transport direction D (rightward) of the medium M. The pair of side fences 12, 12 are preferably disposed so as to be movable on the loading platform 11 in the width direction W of the medium M, for example, manually or by a driving means (not shown), depending on the size and orientation of the medium M. Note that in FIG. 1, the upper parts of the pair of side fences 12, 12 are not shown in order to show the pulley 22 and the like.

[0022] Each of the pair of side fences 12, 12 has a protrusion 12b that protrudes from the regulating surface 12a on the medium M side toward the medium M side, for example, by about 0.5 mm. The amount of protrusion of this protrusion 12b from the regulating surface 12a is arbitrary, but it is preferable that it is, for example, less than half the JIS paper size tolerance value (if the tolerance value is 2 mm, the protrusion 12b on one side is 1 mm). As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 12b is, for example, a rib extending in the vertical direction. Three protrusions 12b are provided at intervals in the conveying direction D. The protrusions 12b, 12b of the pair of side fences 12, 12 are arranged opposite each other in the width direction W, and are an example of a pair of first regulating parts that regulate the medium M loaded on the loading platform 11 in the width direction W.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the area between the pair of side fences 12, 12 includes a loading area PA between the convex portions 12b, 12b, and a floating area FA above the loading area PA. In the loading area PA, the media M is loaded on the stacking table 11 without floating. In the floating area FA, the media M floats. The portion of the regulating surface 12a above the convex portion 12b is an example of a pair of second regulating portions that regulate the floated media M in the width direction W. The pair of side fences 12, 12 is an example of a regulating portion having a pair of first regulating portions (a pair of convex portions 12b, 12b) and a pair of second regulating portions (a pair of regulating surfaces 12a, 12a).

[0024] A distance S12 between the regulating surfaces 12a, 12a of the pair of side fences 12, 12 in the width direction W is wider than a distance S11 between the protruding portions 12b, 12b of the pair of side fences 12, 12 in the width direction W.

[0025] The restricting surface 12a and the protruding portion 12b are provided integrally on the side fence 12, i.e., the restricting surface 12a and the protruding portion 12b are provided integrally, so that, for example, when a user manually moves the side fence 12 in the width direction W, the restricting surface 12a and the protruding portion 12b move integrally in the width direction W. In this way, in each side fence 12, the restricting surface 12a and the protruding portion 12b are arranged to be movable integrally.

[0026] The upper end of the convex portion 12b is inclined so that its thickness in the width direction W becomes thinner toward the top in order to prevent the second or subsequent medium M from getting caught as it falls after the topmost medium M1 has floated and been transported.

[0027] The regulating surface 12a of the side fence 12 may have a recess in an area corresponding to the floating area FA. In this case, the recess functions as an example of a second regulating portion that regulates the floating medium M in the width direction W, and the portion of the regulating surface 12a where the recess is not provided functions as an example of a first regulating portion that regulates the medium M loaded on the loading platform 11 in the width direction W. In this case, the protrusion 12b protruding from the regulating surface 12a can be omitted. The first regulating portion and the second regulating portion may be provided separately as long as they can move together. For example, the first regulating portion may be provided on the side fence 12, and the other may be disposed on a member different from the side fence 12.

[0028] The transport mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a transport belt 21 and a pair of left and right pulleys 22, 23 around which the transport belt 21 is stretched. One of the pulleys 22, 23 is a drive pulley, and the other is a driven pulley. The drive pulley rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by driving a transport drive unit 85 shown in FIG. 2, and rotates the transport belt 21. As a result, the transport mechanism 20 transports the uppermost medium M1 floated by the main floating air A2 blown by the main floating air blowing mechanism 40 and the side floating air A4 blown by the side floating air blowing mechanism 60 in the transport direction D (rightward). The transport mechanisms 20 may be arranged in a line in the front-rear direction, for example. In this case, only one suction mechanism 30, which will be described later, may be arranged, or each of the multiple transport mechanisms 20 may be arranged. Note that the transport mechanisms 20 are not shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0029] The transport belt 21 is an example of a transport member that transports the medium M. The transport belt 21 is provided with a plurality of through holes for passing suction air A1 sucked by a suction mechanism 30 described later.

[0030] The conveying mechanism 20 may have other conveying members such as conveying rollers instead of the conveying belt 21. When the conveying mechanism 20 has conveying rollers, the conveying drive unit 85 rotates the drive rollers (conveying rollers) instead of the drive pulleys.

[0031] The suction mechanism 30 sucks in suction air A1 through multiple through holes provided in the conveying belt 21 by driving a suction source (e.g., a suction fan) not shown, thereby adsorbing the uppermost medium M1 that is floating among the multiple media M loaded on the loading platform 11 to the conveying mechanism 20.

[0032] The main floating air blowing mechanism 40 is disposed downstream in the transport direction D of the multiple media M loaded on the loading platform 11, and blows out main floating air A2 by driving an air supply source (e.g., an air supply fan) to float at least the uppermost medium M1. The main floating air blowing mechanism 40 may blow out the main floating air A2 diagonally upward so as to float, for example, about 10 sheets of media M including the uppermost medium M1. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the main floating air blowing mechanism 40 has two separate outlets for the main floating air A2, one at the front and one at the back. Note that the lower part of the main floating air blowing mechanism 40 is not shown in Fig. 1, and Figs. 3 and 4 omit illustrations of the main floating air blowing mechanism 40 other than the outlet.

[0033] The main separation air blowing mechanism 50 is disposed downstream in the transport direction D of the multiple media M loaded on the loading platform 11, and blows out main separation air A3 for separating the uppermost medium M1 from the second medium M2 by driving an air supply source (e.g., an air supply fan). As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the outlet of the main separation air A3 of the main separation air blowing mechanism 50 is separated into two, front and rear, at a position sandwiched between the two outlets of the main floating air blowing mechanism 40. Note that the lower part of the main separation air blowing mechanism 50 is not shown in Fig. 1, and parts of the main separation air blowing mechanism 50 other than the outlets are not shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0034] The pair of side floating air blowing mechanisms 60, 60 are disposed outside the pair of side fences 12, 12 in the width direction W, and blow out side floating air A4 by driving an air supply source (e.g., an air supply fan) to float at least the uppermost medium M1. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the pair of side floating air blowing mechanisms 60, 60 blows out the side floating air A4 from the lower part of the opening 12a-1 provided across the floating area FA and the loading area PA of the side fence 12. In this way, the pair of side floating air blowing mechanisms 60, 60 blows out the side floating air A4 from the floating area FA of the side fence 12 (the opening 12a-1 of the regulating surface 12a). In other words, the blowing port (floating nozzle) of the side floating air blowing mechanism 60 is provided in the floating area FA of the side fence 12. This makes it easier to float the medium M. In addition, the blowing port of the side floating air A4 is indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 1. Also, the illustration of the lower part of the side floating air blowing mechanism 60 is omitted in Fig. 1, and the illustration of the side floating air blowing mechanism 60 itself is omitted in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0035] The main floating air blowing mechanism 40 and the pair of side floating air blowing mechanisms 60, 60 are examples of floating air blowing mechanisms that float at least the topmost medium M1 of multiple media M loaded on the loading platform 11 by blowing air (main floating air A2 and side floating air A4).

[0036] The pair of side separation air blowing mechanisms 70, 70 are disposed outside the pair of side fences 12, 12 in the width direction W, and blow out side separation air A5 for separating the uppermost medium M1 from the second medium M2 by driving an air supply source (e.g., an air supply fan). As shown in FIG. 5, each of the pair of side separation air blowing mechanisms 70, 70 blows out the side separation air A5 from an opening 12a-2 provided in the side fence 12. A height regulating plate 13 for regulating the height of the floated uppermost medium M1 is disposed so as to protrude toward the medium M side from this opening 12a-2. Note that in FIG. 1, the blowing port of the side separation air A5 is indicated by a dashed line. Also, in FIG. 1, the lower part of the side separation air blowing mechanism 70 is omitted, and in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side separation air blowing mechanism 70 itself is omitted.

[0037] The main separation air blowing mechanism 50 and the pair of side separation air blowing mechanisms 70, 70 are one example of a separation air blowing mechanism that blows out separation air (main separation air A3 and side separation air A5) to separate the uppermost medium M1 and the second medium M2.

[0038] 2 has a processor (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) that functions as an arithmetic processing device that controls the overall operation of the medium supplying device 1, and controls the operation of each part of the medium supplying device 1. Note that in cases where the medium supplying device 1 is provided integrally with another device such as the printing device 101, the control device of the other device such as the printing device 101 may also serve as the control device 81.

[0039] The storage unit 82 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which a predetermined control program is pre-recorded, or a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a semiconductor memory that can be written and read at any time and is used as a working storage area as necessary when the processor executes various control programs. The storage unit 82 may also be a storage unit of another device, such as the printing device 101.

[0040] The interface unit 83 transmits and receives various types of information to and from external devices such as the printing device 101. For example, the interface unit 83 receives information such as a supply request for the medium M or a supply stop request from the control unit of the printing device 101, and the control unit 81 controls the operation of each unit of the medium supply device 1 based on this information.

[0041] The loading platform lifting drive unit 84 has a motor (an example of an actuator) that lifts and lowers the loading platform 11.

[0042] The transport drive unit 85 has a motor (an example of an actuator) that rotates a drive pulley, which is one of the pulleys 22 and 23 of the transport mechanism 20.

[0043] Next, the printing device 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The printing device 101 includes a printing unit 110, a conveying unit 120, a first supply unit 130, a second supply unit 140, a third supply unit 150, conveying roller pairs 161-165, and a registration roller pair 166. In addition, in Fig. 1, a conveying path R continuing from the medium supply device 1, the first supply unit 130, the second supply unit 140, and the third supply unit 150 to the printing unit 110 is indicated by a thick solid line.

[0044] The printing unit 110 has, for example, a line-head type inkjet head for each color used for printing. Note that the printing method of the printing unit 110 may be a printing method other than the inkjet printing method.

[0045] The transport unit 120 is disposed opposite the printing unit 110. For example, the transport unit 120 transports the medium M by a transport belt while adsorbing the medium M.

[0046] The first supply section 130, the second supply section 140, and the third supply section 150 each include a supply tray 131, 141, and 151, a scraper roller 132, 142, and 152, and a pickup roller 133, 143, and 153.

[0047] A plurality of media M are loaded on the supply trays 131, 141, and 151. The scraper rollers 132, 142, and 152 are feed rollers that feed and transport the uppermost medium M among the plurality of media M stacked on the supply trays 131, 141, and 151.

[0048] The pickup rollers 133, 143, and 153 transport the medium M fed by the scraper rollers 132, 142, and 152 to the transport path R.

[0049] The conveying roller pairs 161 to 165 are disposed on a conveying path R between the first supply section 130, the second supply section 140, and the third supply section 150 and the registration roller pair 166.

[0050] The medium M conveyed from the medium supply device 1, the first supply section 130, the second supply section 140, and the third supply section 150 abuts against the registration roller pair 166. This causes skew of the medium M to be corrected.

[0051] Next, the operation of supplying the medium M by the medium supplying device 1 will be described while omitting points that overlap with the above description as appropriate.

[0052] First, when the control unit 81 shown in Figure 2 receives supply request information from the printing device 101, it controls the suction mechanism 30 to suck in suction air A1, and controls the main floating air blowing mechanism 40, the main separation air blowing mechanism 50, a pair of side floating air blowing mechanisms 60, 60, and a pair of side separation air blowing mechanisms 70, 70 to blow out various types of air (main floating air A2, main separation air A3, side floating air A4, and side separation air A5).

[0053] As a result, the state transitions from one in which all media M are loaded on the loading platform 11 as shown in Fig. 1 to one in which some media M are floating as shown in Fig. 3. Then, the media M floats in a floating area FA whose interval S12 in the width direction W is wider than the loading area PA (interval S11) shown in Fig. 4. Note that, when the pair of side fences 12, 12 are arranged to be manually movable as described above, the position of the media M loaded on the loading platform 11 in the width direction W is restricted, for example, by the pair of side fences 12, 12 moving to a position where the protrusions 12b, 12b abut or approach the periphery of the media M immediately after loading. Furthermore, when the pair of side fences 12, 12 are arranged to be movable by a driving means not shown as described above, the position of the medium M loaded on the loading tray 11 in the width direction W is regulated by the pair of side fences 12, 12 moving to a position where the convex portions 12b, 12b abut or are close to the peripheral edge of the medium M at a predetermined timing, such as immediately after loading or when the supply of the medium M begins (when printing begins).

[0054] Thereafter, when the topmost medium M1 is adsorbed to the transport mechanism 20, the control unit 81 temporarily stops the main floating air blowing mechanism 40 from blowing the main floating air A2 and the pair of side floating air blowing mechanisms 60, 60 from blowing the side floating air A4, for example by closing the shutters.

[0055] Then, after the transport mechanism 20 has started transporting the uppermost medium M1, the control unit 81 restarts the main floating air blowing mechanism 40 from blowing the main floating air A2 and the pair of side floating air blowing mechanisms 60, 60 from blowing the side floating air A4, for example by opening the shutters, and adsorbs the second medium M2 to the transport mechanism 20. Then, transport of the second medium M2 by the transport mechanism 20 is started. This supply operation of medium M is repeated until the control unit 81 receives information requesting to stop supply.

[0056] In the first embodiment described above, the medium supplying device 1 includes the loading platform 11, a main floating air blowing mechanism 40 and a side floating air blowing mechanism 60, which are examples of floating air blowing mechanisms, a transport mechanism 20, and a pair of side fences 12, 12, which are an example of a regulating unit. A plurality of media M are loaded on the loading platform 11. The main floating air blowing mechanism 40 and the side floating air blowing mechanism 60 float at least the uppermost medium M1 of the plurality of media M loaded on the loading platform 11 by blowing main floating air A2 and side floating air A4, which are examples of air. The transport mechanism 20 transports the uppermost medium M1 floated by the blowing of the main floating air A2 and side floating air A4 by the main floating air blowing mechanism 40 and the side floating air blowing mechanism 60 in the transport direction D. The pair of side fences 12, 12 have a pair of convex portions 12b, 12b which are an example of a pair of first regulating portions arranged opposite each other in the width direction W perpendicular to the conveying direction D and which regulate the medium M loaded on the loading platform M in the width direction W, and a pair of regulating surfaces 12a, 12a which are an example of a pair of second regulating portions arranged opposite each other in the width direction W at a spacing S12 (>S11) wider than the pair of convex portions 12b, 12b (spacing S11) and which regulate the medium M floated by the blowing of the main floating air A2 and the side floating air A4 from the main floating air blowing mechanism 40 and the side floating air blowing mechanism 60 in the width direction W. One of the pair of protrusions 12b, 12b is arranged so as to be movable integrally with one of the pair of regulating surfaces 12a, 12a, and the other of the pair of protrusions 12b, 12b is arranged so as to be movable integrally with the other of the pair of regulating surfaces 12a, 12a.

[0057] In this manner, in the first embodiment, a pair of convex portions 12b, 12b that regulate the medium M loaded on the loading platform 11 in the width direction W, and a pair of regulating surfaces 12a, 12a that regulate the floated medium M in the width direction W, with the interval S12 in the width direction W being wider than the pair of convex portions 12b, 12b (interval S11), are disposed so as to be movable together. Therefore, for example, by manually moving the side fence 12, the interval S11 between the pair of convex portions 12b, 12b can be set to an appropriate interval for the medium M loaded on the loading platform 11, and the interval S12 between the pair of regulating surfaces 12a, 12a can be set to an appropriate interval for the floated medium M by a simple setting. This makes it possible to suppress image position shifts and paper jams caused by the floated medium M moving freely in the width direction W, compared to a case in which the interval S12 between the pair of regulating surfaces 12a, 12a is too large. Furthermore, compared to when the distance S12 between the pair of regulating surfaces 12a, 12a is too small, it is possible to suppress empty feeding or double feeding of medium M caused by friction preventing the floating of medium M and the falling behavior of the second and subsequent media M, and empty feeding of medium M caused by deformation of medium M. Thus, according to the first embodiment, the floating medium M can be accurately supplied with simple settings.

[0058] In addition, in this first embodiment, an example of a regulating portion is a pair of side fences 12, 12 arranged opposite each other in the width direction W, a pair of second regulating portions that regulate the floated medium M in the width direction W are provided on regulating surfaces 12a, 12a on the medium M side of the pair of side fences 12, 12, and a pair of convex portions 12b, 12b, which are an example of a pair of first regulating portions that regulate the medium M loaded on the loading platform 11 in the width direction W, are provided on the regulating surfaces 12a, 12a of the pair of side fences 12, 12 and protrude toward the medium M side beyond the regulating surfaces 12a.

[0059] This allows the difference in distance between the distance S11 between the pair of protrusions 12b, 12b and the distance S12 between the pair of regulating surfaces 12a, 12a to be kept constant with a simple configuration in which the protrusions 12b are provided on the regulating surface 12a. Therefore, as described above, the distance S12 between the pair of regulating surfaces 12a, 12a can be set to an appropriate distance for the floated medium M by simply setting the distance S11 between the pair of protrusions 12b, 12b to an appropriate distance for the medium M loaded on the loading platform 11. Therefore, with a simple configuration and simple settings, the floated medium M can be accurately supplied.

[0060] <Second embodiment> Compared to the medium supplying device 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the medium supplying device 2 according to the second embodiment has a pair of side fences 92, 92 instead of the pair of side fences 12, 12, and further has a first restriction portion driving section 91 and a pair of movable convex portions 93, 93. As for other matters, the medium supplying device 2 according to the second embodiment can be similar to the medium supplying device 1 according to the first embodiment described above, and therefore detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a control configuration of the medium supplying device 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a left side view showing the medium supplying device 2 (when no medium M is loaded).

[0062] The medium supplying device 2 includes a first restriction portion driving unit 91 shown in Fig. 6, a pair of side fences 92, 92 and a pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 shown in Fig. 7. The medium supplying device 2 also includes the above-mentioned loading platform 11 (see Fig. 7), a transport mechanism 20 (hereinafter, see Fig. 6), a suction mechanism 30, a main floating air blowing mechanism 40, a main separation air blowing mechanism 50, a pair of side floating air blowing mechanisms 60, 60, a pair of side separation air blowing mechanisms 70, 70, a control unit 81, a memory unit 82, an interface unit 83, a loading platform lifting / lowering driving unit 84, and a transport driving unit 85.

[0063] The first restricting portion driving unit 91 shown in Fig. 6 has a motor (an example of an actuator) that moves a pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 shown in Fig. 7 in the width direction W. The first restricting portion driving unit 91 moves the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 under control of the control unit 81 based on medium information and the like described below, but may also move the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 based on a user's operation on an input unit of the medium supplying device 1 (or the printing device 101), for example. The first restricting portion driving unit 91 may be a single driving unit, or may be a total of two driving units, a driving unit that drives one movable convex portion 93 and a driving unit that drives the other movable convex portion 93.

[0064] 7 are disposed facing each other in a width direction W (front-rear direction) perpendicular to the transport direction D (see FIG. 1) of the medium M. The pair of side fences 92 are preferably disposed so as to be movable on the loading platform 11 in the width direction W of the medium M according to the size and orientation of the medium M, for example, manually or by a driving means (not shown).

[0065] Each of the pair of side fences 92, 92 may be provided with a recess or an opening capable of accommodating a movable convex portion 93 that protrudes toward the medium M beyond the regulating surface 92a on the medium M side. Alternatively, the movable convex portion 93 may be disposed between the medium M and the regulating surface 92a.

[0066] The movable convex portion 93 is connected to the side fence 92 so as to be slidable in the width direction W along the side fence 92, for example, so that the position of the movable convex portion 93 relative to the side fence 92 is adjustable and the movable convex portion 93 is arranged so as to be movable together with the side fence 92. For example, when the user manually moves the side fence 92 in the width direction W, the regulating surface 92a and the movable convex portion 93 move together in the width direction W. Note that when the movable convex portion 93 is arranged so that the position of the movable convex portion 93 relative to the side fence 92 is manually adjustable, the first regulating portion driving portion 91 can be omitted.

[0067] The movable convex portion 93 extends in the up-down direction in the loading area PA, for example, similar to the convex portion 12b shown in Fig. 5 described above. A plurality of the movable convex portions 93 may be arranged at intervals in the transport direction D. Note that the pair of convex portions 93, 93 are arranged opposite each other in the width direction W, and are an example of a pair of first regulating portions that regulate the medium M loaded on the loading platform 11 in the width direction W.

[0068] The area between the pair of side fences 92, 92 includes a loading area PA between the movable convex portions 93, 93, and a floating area FA above the loading area PA. In the loading area PA, the media M is loaded on the stacking platform 11 without floating. In the floating area FA, the media M floats. The portion of the regulating surface 92a above the movable convex portion 93 is an example of a pair of second regulating portions that regulate the floated media M in the width direction W. The regulating portion in this second embodiment has a pair of regulating surfaces 92a, 92a (side fences 92, 92) and a pair of movable convex portions 93.

[0069] The upper end of the movable convex portion 93 is inclined so that its thickness in the width direction W becomes thinner toward the top in order to prevent the second or subsequent medium M from getting caught as it falls after the topmost medium M1 has floated and been transported.

[0070] Since the movable convex portion 93 is arranged to be movable in the width direction W by the drive of the first regulating portion drive portion 91, the interval S21 between the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 in the width direction W becomes wider (interval S21-1) when they move away from each other, for example, to the positions of the pair of movable convex portions 93-1, 93-1 shown by the dashed lines. However, since the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 move in the width direction W within a range protruding toward the medium M side beyond the regulating surface 92a, the interval S22 between the regulating surfaces 92a, 92a in the width direction W is wider than the intervals S21, S21-1 between the movable convex portions 93, 93 in the width direction W even when the movable convex portions 93, 93 move in the width direction W.

[0071] In this manner, the regulating surfaces 92a, 92a of the pair of side fences 92, 92 and the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 are arranged so that the difference in distance between the distance S22 between the regulating surfaces 92a, 92a and the distance S21, S21-1 between the movable convex portions 93, 93 can be adjusted.

[0072] The control unit 81 shown in Figure 6 moves the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 in the width direction W by driving control of the first regulating part driving unit 91 based on at least one of the media information of the medium M loaded on the loading platform 11 and the environmental information of the medium supply device 1, and adjusts the above-mentioned gap difference by moving the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 and the pair of regulating surfaces 92a, 92a relatively.

[0073] Here, the medium information is, for example, information such as the size of the medium M, the orientation of the medium M, and the type of the medium M. The medium information may be acquired by the control unit 81 based on, for example, the print job of the printing device 101, the detection result of a sensor (not shown) that detects the size and orientation of the medium M loaded on the loading platform 11, and a user's operation of an operation unit (e.g., a lever) provided on the medium supplying device 1 in accordance with the type of the medium M. The size of the medium M is, for example, A3 (297×420 mm), A4 (210×297 mm), etc. The orientation of the medium M is vertical, in which the longitudinal direction of the medium M is parallel to the transport direction D, or horizontal, in which the longitudinal direction of the medium M is perpendicular to the transport direction D. The type of the medium M is the thickness (basis weight) of the medium M, such as plain paper, thick paper, thin paper, etc., the material of the medium M, the grain direction of the medium M (longitudinal or transverse grain), etc.

[0074] The environmental information includes the humidity, temperature, air flow, and the like of the environment in which the medium supplying device 1 is installed. The environmental information may be acquired by the control unit 81 based on the detection result of a sensor (not shown) installed in the medium supplying device 1, for example.

[0075] The control unit 81 may control the first restriction portion driving unit 91 to move the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 away from each other in order to relatively reduce the above-mentioned gap difference, for example, as the medium M is longer in the width direction W, as the medium M is thinner, or as the environment of the medium supplying device 1 is hotter and more humid, the stiffness of the medium M becomes weaker and the floated medium M becomes more likely to deform horizontally. Thereby, for example, when the user manually moves the side fence 92 and the movable convex portion 93 to a position where the movable convex portion 93 abuts against the medium M, the medium M, which is easily deformed in the floating area FA, can be restricted to a relatively narrow gap S22.

[0076] On the other hand, the control unit 81 may control the first restriction part driving unit 91 to move the pair of movable convex parts 93, 93 closer to each other in order to relatively increase the above-mentioned gap difference, for example, as the medium M becomes shorter in the width direction W, as the medium M becomes thicker, or as the environment of the medium supplying device 1 becomes colder and more humid, the stiffer the medium M becomes and the less likely the floated medium M is to deform horizontally. As a result, for example, when the user manually moves the side fence 92 and the movable convex part 93 to a position where the movable convex part 93 abuts against the medium M, the medium M that is less likely to deform in the floating area FA can be restricted by a relatively wide gap S22.

[0077] The first regulating part driving unit 91 is an example of a regulating part driving unit. This regulating part driving unit may be a second regulating part driving unit that moves the regulating surface 92a (side fence 92) relative to the movable convex part 93 as long as it moves the movable convex part 93 (first regulating part) and the regulating surface 92a (second regulating part). Alternatively, both the first regulating part driving unit 91 and the second regulating part driving unit that moves the regulating surface 92a (side fence 92) may be disposed. Note that the second regulating part driving unit narrows the gap S22 between the pair of regulating surfaces 92a, 92a after the uppermost medium M1 floats and before it is attracted to the transport mechanism 20, thereby allowing the floated uppermost medium M1 to be attracted to the transport mechanism 20 at a more appropriate position.

[0078] In the second embodiment described above, with respect to the same matters as in the first embodiment described above, the same effects are achieved, that is, a pair of regulating surfaces 92a, 92a that regulate the floated medium M in the width direction W, and a pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 that regulate the medium M loaded on the loading platform 11 in the width direction W are arranged to be movable together, so that the floated medium M can be accurately supplied with a simple setting, as described above.

[0079] In addition, in this second embodiment, the movable convex portions 93, 93, which are an example of a pair of first regulating portions, and the regulating surfaces 92a, 92, which are an example of a pair of second regulating portions, are arranged so that the difference in distance between the spacing S21, S21-1 in the width direction W of the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 and the spacing S22 in the width direction W of the pair of regulating surfaces 92a, 92a can be adjusted, for example, by moving the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 in the width direction W relative to the pair of regulating surfaces 92a, 92a (side fences 92, 92) by the first regulating portion driving unit 91 or manually.

[0080] This makes it possible to adjust the position of restriction in the width direction W in the floating area FA by the restriction surface 92a relative to the position of restriction in the width direction W in the loading area PA by the pair of movable convex portions 93, 93. Therefore, for example, the position of restriction in the width direction W in the floating area FA can be adjusted arbitrarily to suit the medium M, such as by widening it more than or slightly wider than the position of restriction in the width direction W in the loading area PA. Therefore, the floated medium M can be supplied more accurately.

[0081] In addition, in this second embodiment, the control unit 81 adjusts the above-mentioned gap difference by relatively moving a pair of movable convex portions 93, 93 and a pair of regulating surfaces 92a, 92a based on at least one of media information of the medium M and environmental information of the medium supplying device 1.

[0082] As a result, for example, based on the size of the medium M, the thickness of the medium M, and the temperature and humidity of the environment in which the medium supplying device 1 is installed, for medium M that is weak in stiffness and easily deforms when floated, the spacing S22 in the width direction W of the floating area FA can be made slightly wider than the spacing S21-1 in the width direction W of the loading area PA, making it easier to regulate the floated medium M. On the other hand, for medium M that is strong in stiffness and does not easily deform when floated, the spacing S22 in the width direction W of the floating area FA can be made relatively larger than the spacing S21 in the width direction W of the loading area PA, making it easier to regulate the floated medium M. Therefore, the floated medium M can be supplied more accurately.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, all the components shown in the embodiment may be appropriately combined. Of course, various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention described in the claims at the time of filing of this application is appended below.

[0084] [Appendix 1] a loading platform on which a plurality of media are loaded; a floating air blowing mechanism that floats at least the topmost medium among the plurality of media loaded on the loading platform by blowing air; a transport mechanism that transports the uppermost medium floated by the air blowing mechanism in a transport direction; a regulating section including a pair of first regulating parts that are arranged opposite each other in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and that regulate the medium loaded on the loading platform in the width direction, and a pair of second regulating parts that are arranged opposite each other in the width direction at a distance wider than the pair of first regulating parts and that regulate the medium floated by the air blowing out of the floating air blowing mechanism in the width direction, The pair of first restriction portions are disposed so as to be movable together with the pair of second restriction portions. A medium supplying device comprising:

[0085] [Appendix 2] The regulating portion is a pair of side fences arranged opposite to each other in the width direction, the pair of second regulating portions are provided on the medium-side regulating surfaces of the pair of side fences, The pair of first regulating portions are provided on the regulating surfaces of the pair of side fences and protrude toward the medium side more than the second regulating portions. 2. A medium supplying device according to claim 1.

[0086] [Appendix 3] The pair of first regulating portions and the pair of second regulating portions are arranged so that a difference in distance between the pair of first regulating portions in the width direction and the pair of second regulating portions in the width direction can be adjusted. 2. A medium supplying device according to claim 1.

[0087] [Appendix 4] a control unit that adjusts the gap difference by relatively moving the pair of first regulating parts and the pair of second regulating parts based on at least one of medium information of the medium and environmental information of the medium supplying device. 4. A medium supplying device according to claim 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1,2 Media supply device 11 Loading platform 12 Side fence 12a Regulatory aspects 12a-1,12a-2 opening 12b Rib 13 Height restriction board 20 Conveyor mechanism 21 Conveyor belt 22,23 Pulley 30 Suction mechanism 40 Main floating air blowing mechanism 50 Main separation air blowing mechanism 60 Side floating air blowing mechanism 70 Side separation air blowing mechanism 81 Control Unit 82 Memory section 83 Interface section 84 Loading platform lift drive unit 85 Transport drive unit 91 First restriction part drive unit 92 Side fence 92a Regulatory aspects 93 Movable convex part 100 Printing System 101 Printing device A1 Suction air A2 Main floating air A3 Main separation air A4 Side floating air A5 Side separation air D Conveying direction FA floating area M medium M1 Top Media M2 Second Medium PA Loading Area R Transport route S11,S12,S21,S21-1,S22 interval W Width direction

Claims

[Claim 1] a loading platform on which a plurality of media are loaded; a floating air blowing mechanism that floats at least the topmost medium among the plurality of media loaded on the loading platform by blowing air; a transport mechanism that transports the uppermost medium floated by the air blowing mechanism in a transport direction; a regulating section including a pair of first regulating parts that are arranged opposite each other in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and that regulate the medium loaded on the loading platform in the width direction, and a pair of second regulating parts that are arranged opposite each other in the width direction at a distance wider than the pair of first regulating parts and that regulate the medium floated by the air blowing out of the floating air blowing mechanism in the width direction, the pair of first restriction portions are disposed so as to be movable together with the pair of second restriction portions, The pair of first restricting portions are ribs provided on the restricting portion and extending in the up-down direction, the pair of first regulating portions and the pair of second regulating portions are arranged so as to be able to adjust a difference in interval between the pair of first regulating portions in the width direction and the pair of second regulating portions in the width direction, a control unit that adjusts the gap difference by relatively moving the pair of first regulating parts and the pair of second regulating parts based on at least one of medium information of the medium and environmental information of the medium supplying device, so that the gap in the width direction of a floating area above a loading area between the pair of first regulating parts is wider than the gap in the width direction of the loading area for the medium that is less likely to deform when floating than for the medium that is more likely to deform when floating. A medium supplying device comprising:

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